Day 8: Peace Beyond Christmas

Welcome to Day 8 of the 10 Day Christmas Devotional. I’m so glad you’re here and continuing this journey. I pray that you are discovering that some of the most familiar passages in the Bible are often the most overlooked. We may know them informationally, but God is a relational God and wants us to experience them personally. 

One encouragement to you is to lean into writing during your time with the Lord. We all have different personalities and learning styles that will make our time with the Lord unique, but some level of journaling is really critical for a few reasons. First, it slows you down. We are much more intentional when we go to write something down. Writing will also allow you to look back on God’s faithfulness and help you remember what He revealed to you. The man that discipled my husband and I always said, “the faintest of ink is better than the strongest of memories.” I personally use a physical journal so that I am not distracted by all the other things on my electronic devices during my time with the Lord. Whether you go old school with ink and journal or electronic, just be sure to incorporate some form of writing to help process and remember what God is showing you.

DAY 8

7Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” Matthew 2:7-8

FOCUSED THINKING

What does Herod do?

What word is used to describe HOW he summoned the wise men?

Who does he involve?

What does Herod say is his reason for sending the wise men to find Jesus?

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Lord, Herod’s motives were impure. Is there anywhere I am working in secret because what I am doing is not pleasing to you?

Lord, Herod used religion and devotion as a front. Is there anywhere I am using my faith as a front?

Lord, what about this passage applies to my life today?